From Remote Areas to Emergency Care: The Journey of a Retrieval Nurse Discover the incredible journey of Cassie Gaff, a retrieval nurse as well as an educator with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and learn about the challenges and rewards of nursing in remote areas. In the world of healthcare, few professions are as demanding and rewarding as that of a retrieval nurse. Cassie Gaff, an educator with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of WA, shares her inspiring journey from her childhood experiences in remote Australia to becoming a critical care nurse specializing in aeromedical retrieval. In this episode, you'll learn about her pathway into nursing, the unique challenges of working in remote areas and the critical skills needed in emergency situations.

30 years in helicopter rescue. Countless high-pressure jobs. Now he’s the one selecting the next generation of aircrew. 

Episode #2 of the Rescue Ready Podcast is live, and this is one every aspiring Rescue Crew Officer should hear. 

I sat down with Blair Robertson, Chief Aircrew Officer at CHC Helicopter and Offshore Services Australasia, to unpack the realities of a career spent in helicopter rescue. 

Blair’s journey began as a volunteer Rescue Crew Officer with Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad. Three decades later, he now oversees the standards, training and selection of operational aircrew. 

That means he has seen this industry from both sides: the RCO hanging on the wire… and the leader deciding who is ready to wear the harness. 

In this episode we discuss: 

• Blair’s pathway from volunteer RCO to Chief Aircrew Officer 

• The lessons that only years of real jobs can teach 

• What helicopter rescue work is actually like behind the scenes 

• The mistakes many aspiring candidates are making 

• What employers are genuinely looking for in Rescue Crew applicants 

If you are serious about helicopter rescue, there is a lot to take from this conversation. 

Professionalism. Pressure. Standards. Longevity. Mindset. 

And what it truly means to be Rescue Ready. 

In this first episode of the Rescue Ready Podcast, I sit down with Johnny Hagan, a Volunteer Rescue Crew Officer with the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter in Queensland.Over the past five years, Johnny has been involved in a range of challenging and high-pressure rescue operations. But like most in this job, there’s one mission that stands above the rest… his very first.In this conversation, we discuss:• What it actually takes to become a Rescue Crew Officer• The reality of helicopter rescue work beyond what most people see• The lessons that come from responding to incidents• Advice for anyone looking to become a rescue crew officerThis episode is about the journey, the pressure, and what it means to be truly Rescue Ready.

Welcome to the Rescue Ready Podcast,

the show where we unpack real stories,

lessons and pathways behind helicopter rescue and high-risk response roles.